Ministry of Clouds is the creation of Bernice Ong and Julian Forwood and it’s just on a decade since they decided to leave the security of the corporate wine world (the ministry) for the adventure (the clouds) of their own wine venture. And it’s been quite a journey thus far.

From the 2012 vintage their first five releases all rated between 94 and 97 points in the Halliday Wine Companion and earned them a spot in the Top Ten New Wineries for the year. Basing themselves in McLaren Vale, they sourced red fruit from around the Vale, securing parcels from some of the most venerable and sought-after old-vine Shiraz and Grenache vineyards.

100% Mencia from the ancient rocks at the Chase Vineyard at Onkaparinga Gorge. Hand picked, with 12% whole-bunches retained, the balance lightly de-stemmed to whole-berries, then cold soaked for 3 days to capture aromatics. Fermented wild in a traditional open vat, with very gentle plunging twice daily, then basket pressed after 9 days on skins to old French oak vessels for 12 months maturation.

Deeply purple in colour, this wine has the lifted floral aromatics of Mencía showing sour cherry, pomegranate, and black liquorice. On the palate, the layered succulent fruit characters that Mencía is known for come to the fore, showing mid-weight blackcurrant and raspberry fruit, built upon a bedrock of mineral laced tannin. - Bernice and Julian, Winemakers 

The Finer Details
Style - Red Wine
Varietal - Mencia
Country - Australia
Region - McLaren Value, South Australia
Vintage - 2021
Bottle Size - 750ml
ABV - 13.9%